Three-year high for crash casualties on Harrogate's roads

Dan Windham

More than 650 people suffered injuries following crashes on Harrogate’s roads in 2015, a three year high for the district.

A new report into road casualties in North Yorkshire found that 657 people had been injured following crashes across the district, 53 more than in 2014.

There was an increase in both serious and minor injuries following crashes in Harrogate, 110 people and 542 people respectively, but the number of fatal injuries reduced to five.

The number of people killed across North Yorkshire in crashes was also the lowest since modern records began with 31 people dying on the county’s roads compared to 40 in 2014.

Acting Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, chair of the 95 Alive Road Safety Partnership said he was pleased to see a reduction in fatal crashes.

He explained that there was now a shift towards serious injuries following crashes, with 17 every fortnight across North Yorkshire, due to a combination of factors.

“This may include better survival through medical treatment at the scene and in hospital; drivers keeping to lower speeds, improvements in targeted enforcement on KSI routes and improved safety features within cars, such as side and curtain airbags,” Con Madgwick said.

“Whilst we continue to work to reduce and prevent crashes and casualties, this reduction in people dying on our roads is a very welcome improvement.”

The number of children seriously injured also fell in Harrogate from eight instances in 2014 to five with no children under 15 killed in crashes last year across the county.

Four cyclists died on the roads last year, compared to three in 2014 but the number of cyclists seriously injured reduced from 64 to 53.

Coun Don Mackenzie, executive member for Highways said that much was being done to encourage all road users to share the roads safely, particularly in relation to cycling.

He said: “Cycling is an increasingly popular sport and activity on our roads.

“We are investing significantly into reducing and preventing cyclist casualties with a specific focus on raising awareness of cyclists on popular routes.”